This Topic: Flexcar at Mukilteo

[Loretta Martin]

The following discussion (in part) has been taking place on the Langley Community Forum web site and I feel it is relevant to the Freeland Forum as well so I am posting parts of the Langley discussion here.
Loretta


FLEXCAR DISCUSSION from Langley Forum Site

POSTING
I'd like to explore the "Flexcar" idea with anyone who's interested. If and when my car dies it would be great to have the option of a shared vehicle for the intermittent trips I'd be taking away from town.

I called the Seattle Flexcar operation and what they do sounds very interesting. I believe there's a $35 yearly membership and people pay so much per mile. As long as one has a fairly good driving record, insurance is covered!

Seattle has to charge somewhat more on technology because some people took advantage (turned back the odometer?) but they felt we in Langley (being as small as we are) could have much more success with the honor system. Wouldn't that be something to be proud of!

Let me know if anyone out there is interested.

Eric Levine

POSTING
Here in Ross Chapin's office we've also become interested in enticing Flexcar or another car share arrangement to Langley. We have the occasional need to drive to a job site or to meet a client, but mostly our cars just sit there all day.

Yesterday I exchanged emails with Emily Allen of Flexcar Seattle (Emily.Allen@flexcar.com), asking what it would take to locate a car on south Whidbey.

Don Argon

Hi Donald-
Thanks for your interest. Whidbey is outside of the current core service area of Flexcar Seattle and it is unlikely that Flexcar will add a vehicle location there this calendar year. However, if there were a business or group of individuals with a commitment to a set number of monthly hours (i.e., 150 or more hours/month total) it would be more likely Flexcar would be able to justify placing a vehicle there.

As another possibility, Flexcar offers exclusive-use vehicles for companies such as Starbucks and Amgen and others, as well as semi-exclusive (weekday) arrangements with other companies. I am copying my colleague, Jeremy Nelson, in Business Development & Sales, who can advise and answer questions about business use and exclusive & semi-exclusive Flexcar use.

Thanks for your interest,
Emily Allen
Member Care Manager
Flexcar Seattle
(206) 391-8653"


Jeremy Nelson (jeremy.nelson@flexcar.com) later called and was more encouraging. He says that Bainbridge successfully lobbied Flexcar to locate a car in Winslow (with some financial commitment from the community) and that it makes great sense to locate cars near such transit nodes as the Clinton docks.

Come to think of it, even a car in Mukilteo would benefit islanders, allowing people to walk on when going over town.

POSTING
Seems to me that a Flexcar in Mukelteo would be a real benefit to all sorts of we Islanders. With the summer season upon us and the long lines in front of us, wouldn't it be nice to be able to walk on the boat and have a Flex car waiting in Mukelteo.

I've followed this organization for a decade now and they offer a great service and are doing quite well.

I'll send a note off to the FlexCar people expressing my enthusiasm.

Dean Enell


REPLY
Seems to me that a Flexcar fleet would be very helpful at a Mukilteo location walking distance from the ferry. We do have very good, clean, friendly, and free transit service here on the island but the ferry lines (especially in summer) can be a real problem when you need to go over to town for an appointment. We would have a greater financial base to attract Flexcar if this online conversation expanded to include the Freeland Community Forum. Also, has anyone contacted Island Transit about this idea? Martha Rose and her group are very forward thinking and might be a good partner in this venture.
Loretta